In a shocking case of cyber fraud, an 86-year-old woman from Mumbai was duped of Rs 20.25 crore in one of India’s longest-running ‘digital arrest’ scams. The fraud, which spanned over two months from December 26, 2024, to March 3, 2025, involved scammers posing as police officials and exploiting the victim’s fear of legal repercussions.
How the Rs 20 crore digital arrest scam unfolded
According to a report by Indian Express, the victim received a call from individuals claiming to be police officers. They alleged that her Aadhaar card had been misused to open a bank account involved in illegal activities, including money laundering. The scammers threatened her with legal action, stating that her name and her family members, including her daughter, would be implicated unless she complied.
To avoid the fabricated charges, the victim was coerced into transferring money to multiple bank accounts. Throughout the scam, the fraudsters instructed her to remain under ‘digital arrest,’ forbidding her from sharing the situation with anyone.
According to Mumbai Police, the fraudsters employed the “digital arrest” technique, a method where victims are led to believe they are under official investigation and are being monitored remotely. They used sophisticated social engineering tactics, including fake video calls with individuals impersonating police officers and government officials, to create a sense of authenticity and urgency.
“This case highlights the alarming trend of cybercriminals targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly senior citizens,” said a senior police official. “The sheer scale of the fraud and the duration of the scam underscore the need for increased public awareness and vigilance.”
The investigation is ongoing, and the Mumbai Police Cyber Cell is working to trace the flow of funds and identify the perpetrators. Authorities are also urging the public to be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages from individuals claiming to be law enforcement or government officials, and to verify any such claims through official channels.
